South Africa's Constitutional Court has ruled that Parliament acted unconstitutionally by blocking an impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2022. The decision requires the National Assembly to establish an impeachment committee to examine the Phala Phala matter. Opposition parties immediately called for the president's resignation.
The majority judgment, delivered on 9 May 2026, set aside the National Assembly's December 2022 vote that declined to refer an independent panel report to an impeachment committee. Chief Justice Mandisa Maya stated that accountability is a foundational constitutional value and that the National Assembly must ensure the president is held accountable.
The ruling stems from allegations involving the theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm in 2020. The court found that the Assembly had erred in halting further proceedings despite the panel's findings.
Opposition leaders reacted swiftly. Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema said Ramaphosa should resign to focus on the process. African Transformation Movement leader Vuyo Zungula and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba echoed calls for him to step down immediately.
The African National Congress is scheduled to discuss the judgment at its National Working Committee meeting on 11 May. The MK Party has filed a motion of no confidence, while the South African Communist Party urged that impeachment proceedings begin without delay.
